National Depression Screening Day®

National Depression Screening Day®

About NDSD

National Depression Screening Day 2017October 5, 2017

For more than two decades, Screening for Mental Health has developed programs to educate, raise awareness, and screen individuals for common behavioral and mental health disorders and suicide. We envision a world where mental health is viewed and treated with the same gravity as physical health, and the public’s participation in National Depression Screening Day helps make that vision a reality.

National Depression Screening Day, held annually on the Thursday of the first full week in October, is an education and screening event conducted by hospitals, clinics, colleges, and community groups nationwide. Much like the medical community screens for diabetes and high blood pressure, we wanted to offer large-scale mood disorder screenings for the public. The program provides free, anonymous screenings for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as referral to treatment resources. Screenings are held both online and in-person and thousands of people participate each year.

This year, we’re focusing on the importance of seeking help. Depression is a common and treatable mood disorder, and spreading awareness about the different ways those dealing with it can get help could save lives. Please join us this National Depression Screening Day and help us spread the word to increase awareness of mental health.

Facts About Depression

General

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.

Depression affects more than 15 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.

Only about half of Americans diagnosed with major depression in a given year receive treatment for it and one fifth receive treatment aligned with current practice guidelines.

Up to 80% of those who receive treatment for depression show an improvement in symptoms, usually within four to six weeks, of beginning treatment.

Youth

About 20% of young people will experience depression in their teen years and between 10% to 15% of teens will have symptoms of depression at any given time.

About 30% of tends with depression develop problems with substance abuse.

Depression in youth can lead to problems at school, running away, low self-esteem, eating disorders, self-injury or disinterest in career or educational opportunities.

Three times more female adolescents developed depression than their male counterparts.

About 8% of teens suffer with depression for at least a year at a time, compared to the roughly 5% of the general population.

On average, 64% of youths with major depression don’t receive mental health treatment. This varies by state from 42% in New Hampshire to 77% in Arkansas.

Men

The lifetime rate of depression is 8% in men and 12% in women, but the difference may be due to fewer men seeking help for depression.

Men are more likely to seek treatment for the physical symptoms of depression, than the typical symptoms associated with the disorder.

Men die by suicide 3.5x more often than women.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 35, although middle aged men have the highest risk of death by suicide.

Veterans

Veterans have rate of suicide 50% higher than the rate among other civilians with similar demographic characteristics.

About 50% of veterans who need mental health services seek it out, but only a little more than half of those veterans receive adequate care.

In 2005, 22% of veterans sought mental health treatment through the private sector rather than from the VA.

The Veterans Crisis Line (800-273-8255, Press 1), has had more than 2 million callers since it was established in 2007, with nearly a quarter of those calls — 490,000 — coming in last year.

Signs and Symptoms

Depression is a treatable mental health disorder that causes persistent sadness and loss of interest. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a treatable illness defined by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. These changes are categorized into manic (high) and depressive (low) episodes, ranging from bursts of energy to deep despair. Some of the most common symptoms include: